Found in green tea, EGCG is one super antioxidant that can do wonders for your body inside and out. Let's take a closer look at it.

What Is EGCG?

EGCG, or epigallocatechin-3-gallate, is a type of catechin. Catechins are a type of antioxidant, which are beneficial for health in many ways. Antioxidants are responsible for defending the body's cells against free radicals, which we encounter in our environment through pollution and other toxins. They're also a byproduct of energy production.

Healthful Benefits of EGCG

As previously mentioned, EGCG is first and foremost an antioxidant. Antioxidants like EGCG help protect the cells of the body from damage that can cause them to age. This includes the cells of the vital organs, like the heart and brain. Antioxidants like EGCG can potentially lower your risk for heart disease as part of a healthy lifestyle. When it comes to the brain, one study published in 2011 in the Journal of Alzheimer's disease EGCG showed the potential to protect mitochondrial function and reduce harmful protein precursors.

Antioxidants also keep the tissues healthy, keeping the skin smooth and more youthful looking. Lastly, antioxidants help keep the immune system strong -- the immune system fights off pathogens and toxins that can lead to infection and sickness.

The second most popular use of EGCG is for weight loss. It's said to help speed up the body's metabolism, which is the rate at which fat is converted to energy and burned off instead of stored. Your metabolism can slow with age or as a result of conditions like hypothyroidism. EGCG may be especially helpful for your resting metabolic rate, which means it helps the body burn fat already stored within the body instead of just the fat you consume. It may also help suppress your appetite to control calorie intake. A small study published in 2007 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found EGCG increased fat oxidation in overweight male patients.

Lastly, EGCG's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits have shown positive anti-tumor effects in published studies. This may mean green tea could be used to slow the growth of cancerous tumors. A 2011 review published in Biochemical pharmacology reaffirmed green tea's potential as a cancer treatment and said its safety, affordability and bioavailability (it's easily absorbed and utilized by the body) make it a very viable option that warrants further investigation.

Larger studies will need to be conducted to verify EGCG's effects in relation to these conditions in order to establish a recommended dosage.

Where to Get EGCG

EGCG is naturally found within green tea (Camellia sinensis), which is made by allowing tea leaves to wither before steaming them. Green tea has been consumed for thousands of years by the Chinese and Japanese for its many reported medicinal benefits. It remains one of the healthiest drinks on the planet. You can start by replacing your coffee or energy drinks with green tea, which naturally contains caffeine For this reason, it's best not to drink it after 3 p.m. to avoid disrupting your sleep at night.

You can also take supplements to get EGCG. Recommended daily dosages vary between published studies, generally ranging between 300 and 900 mg per day. Make sure to speak with your doctor before taking an EGCG supplement on a regular basis, especially if you're sensitive to caffeine or are being treated for a medical condition. Pregnant and/or breastfeeding women aren't advices to take EGCG supplements at this time.

Enjoy all the benefits of this amazing compound with an EGCG supplement from eVitamins. Shop today and have a great week!

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